Ed F. Kopecky, East Bernard, TX US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20150285017

DOWNHOLE TOOL STRING BRAKING - A braking apparatus for a tool string positionable in a wellbore and a method of braking a tool string in a wellbore is disclosed. The braking apparatus includes: a tubular housing having at least one radial arm-bay opening; an actuating mechanism including: a wedge member mounted in an internal cavity of the housing; an axial guide rod coupled at one end to the wedge member; and a push-pull device. The push pull device includes: a biasing member casing through which the guide rod extends to contact the wedge member, a biasing member; and at least one braking arm pivotably mounted to a lower portion of the biasing member casing, wherein when the biasing member casing of the push-pull device in in a lowered position, the braking arm bears on a sloped surface of the wedge member to project the braking arm into contact with a wellbore wall.

10-08-2015

Josh Kopecky, Louisville, KY US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090158766

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCKING CONTROL SYSTEMS OF AN APPLIANCE AND AN APPLIANCE INCORPORATING THE SYSTEM - A system for locking control systems of an appliance includes a lock control that is configured to selectively place at least one of the user-controllable systems in a locked condition while allowing another of the user-controlled systems to remain in an unlocked condition. The system generally includes an appliance operation control, at least one interface and the lock control. The appliance operation control is configured to control user-adjustable controllable systems of the appliance in response to input received by the appliance operation control. The at least one interface is on the appliance and is in communication with the appliance operation control. The at least one interface is configured to receive input via the interface to control at least two of the user-controllable systems of the appliance. When a user-controllable system is in the locked condition, the locked control system is inoperative or unable to be adjusted. A method for selectively locking control systems of an appliance is also disclosed.

06-25-2009

Joshua Kopecky, Tucson, AZ US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110006789

CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY DETECTION SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE - A proximity detection system for an appliance is disclosed. The system includes an electrically conductive sensor for a capacitive proximity detection system, the sensor forming a part of an accessory device for the appliance; and an electrically conductive member disposed substantially opposite a location of the sensor and electrically connected to a ground potential to form a ground shield for the sensor.

01-13-2011

Joshua Paul Kopecky, Louisville, KY US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090103587

MONITORING APPARATUS AND CORRESPONDING METHOD - A monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a temperature related condition of a compartment of a refrigerator which is cooled by a cooling system. The monitoring apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system is not operating. A processor is configured to send processed information based on the sensed temperature. An indicator is configured to receive the processed information from the processor and to indicate, when the cooling system recommences operation, (i) a duration that the cooling system was not operating and (ii) a temperature of the compartment when the cooling system was not operating.

04-23-2009

20090127425

REFRIGERATOR WITH DISPLAY DEVICE - A display device of an appliance having a graphic user interface and a structure for positioning the display device within a recess of a surface of the appliance between a substantially flush position with respect to the surface and a tilted position in which the display device has been moved away from the surface.

05-21-2009

Joshua Paul Kopecky, Tucson, AZ US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100070434

APPLIANCE WITH REAL TIME ENERGY COST DISPLAYED BASED ON USAGE - An appliance includes a display unit for an appliance and a control unit coupled to the display unit. The control unit is configured to detect at least one operating parameter associated with use of the appliance, calculate energy usage and energy costs associated with the at least one operating parameter, and present current energy usage and cost information on the display unit.

03-18-2010

Kristi K. Kopecky, Westminster, CO US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100059186

RETRACTABLE SHADE WITH COLLAPSIBLE VANES - A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

03-11-2010

20120193040

RETRACTABLE SHADE WITH COLLAPSIBLE VANES - A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

08-02-2012

20140096915

RETRACTABLE SHADE WITH COLLAPSIBLE VANES - A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

04-10-2014

20150107786

RETRACTABLE SHADE WITH COLLAPSIBLE VANES - A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

04-23-2015

Patent applications by Kristi K. Kopecky, Westminster, CO US

Sarah Elizabeth Kopecky, Monroe, NY US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120114632

STABILIZED ACTIVE HALOGEN SOLUTIONS - Disclosed are compositions for stabilizing a source of active halogen in aqueous solution. The compositions comprise (i) at least one substituted N-hydrogen compound, such as 5,5-dimethylhydantoin, and (ii) at least one additional nitrogen compound selected from ammonia, ammonium salts, and nitrogen compounds containing no carbon-hydrogen bonds, the molar ratio of (i) and (ii) being in the range of 50:1 to 0.02:1. Active halogen-containing aqueous solutions stabilized by the above compositions are particularly useful for controlling microbial and planktonic growth in aqueous systems such as process liquids in the pulping or papermaking industry. The compositions are also useful in reducing the corrosivity of halogen-containing solutions.

05-10-2012

Trevor Alan Kopecky, Dayton, TX US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20080293280

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND SOCKET ASSEMBLIES - An electrical connector assembly for a cable having a plurality of insulated conductors comprises a body having a respective recess for receiving a terminating pin each of the conductors. A respective spigot sealingly engages within each of the recesses and has a passage for receiving an associated one of the terminating pins. Furthermore a seal is associated with each of the spigots for sealing the spigot relative to the associated terminating pin. The provision of a separate spigot for each of the conductors and for sealing engagement within a respective recess in the body enables the spigots to be sealingly fitted to the conductors prior to each spigot being introduced into its recess and sealingly engaged therein. This provides improved insulation of the conductor and increased creepage distance between the mating electrical parts and the outer surface of the housing of the assembly. It also provides the additional advantage that the seal on the conductor tends to be smaller than in prior arrangements so that there is less thermal expansion of the seal when the parts get hot in a downhole environment.

11-27-2008

Patent applications by Trevor Alan Kopecky, Dayton, TX US

William J. Kopecky, Hudson, WI US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20080274293

Spiral Multilayer Fibers - A spiral wound fiber that includes birefringent interfaces is useful in different optical devices. One type of wound fiber includes at least first and second material layers. At least one of the layers is polymeric and at least one of the layers is birefringent. The spiral wound fiber may be used alone, or in an optical device. Such an optical device can include the fiber embedded within a matrix or attached to a substrate. The spiral wound fiber can be made by rolling a stack of at least two layers, by coextruding the two layers or by coating a rotating form.

11-06-2008

20090251776

MULTILAYER POLARIZING FIBERS AND POLARIZERS USING SAME - A polarizing film is made of multilayer polarizing fibers embedded within a matrix. The fibers are formed with layers of at least a first and a second polymer material. Layers of the first polymer material are disposed between layers of the second polymer material. At least one of the first and second polymer materials is birefringent. In some embodiments the thickness of the layers of at least one of the materials varies across the fiber, and may include layers are selected as quarter-wavelength thickness for light having a wavelength of more than 700 nm.

10-08-2009

20100201041

MONOCOMPONENT MONOLAYER MELTBLOWN WEB AND MELTBLOWING APPARATUS - A porous monocomponent nonwoven web contains a bimodal mass fraction/fiber size mixture of intermingled continuous microfibers and larger size fibers of the same polymeric composition. There are at least five times as many microfibers as larger size fibers, and a histogram of the mass fraction of fibers vs. fiber size exhibits a larger size fiber mode greater than 10 μm. The web may be made by flowing fiber-forming material through a die cavity having larger size orifices and at least five times as many smaller size orifices to form filaments, attenuating the filaments into fibers and collecting the attenuated fibers to form the nonwoven web. The web is especially well suited to the manufacture of self-supporting three dimensional articles such as molded cup-shaped respirators and pleated air filters.

08-12-2010

20100230835

COMPOSITE POLYMER FIBERS - A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.

09-16-2010

20110096395

COLOR SHIFTING MULTILAYER POLYMER FIBERS AND SECURITY ARTICLES CONTAINING COLOR SHIFTING MULTILAYER POLYMER FIBERS - Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.

APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR FORMING NANOFIBERS AND NANOFIBER WEBS - A nozzle, die, apparatus, system and method for forming a fiber population having a median diameter less than one micrometer, and nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of such sub-micrometer fibers. The nozzle includes a first conduit having a first terminal end, a second conduit positioned coaxially around the first conduit and having a second terminal end proximate the first terminal end, wherein the first and second conduit form an annular channel between the first and second conduit, and additionally wherein the first terminal end extends axially outwardly beyond the second terminal end. The die includes at least one such nozzle, and the apparatus and system include at least one such die. Methods of making nonwoven fibrous webs including a population of sub-micrometer fibers, and articles including such nonwoven fibrous webs, are also disclosed.

06-14-2012

20120151720

STRUCTURED SURFACE WITH MULTIPLE-POST CAPS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A structured surface, which includes a thermoplastic backing sheet and a first upstanding element, is disclosed. The first upstanding element includes multiple, spaced-apart posts and a single cap at the distal ends of the multiple, spaced-apart posts. The structured surface furthermore typically includes a plurality of spaced-apart, upstanding posts with caps on their distal ends, where the ratio of the caps to the posts is less than one-to-one. Also disclosed is a method of making a structured surface. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing sheet with a plurality of spaced-apart, upstanding posts; and deforming the distal ends to form caps on at least some of the spaced-apart, upstanding posts. At least some of the caps upon forming touch at least one adjacent cap to form a conjoined cap at the distal ends of multiple posts.

Slot Die Position Adjustment and Return to Baseline - A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

12-13-2012

20120313275

Slot Die Position Adjustments to Facilitate Patterned Products - A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.

12-13-2012

20120315378

Slot Die Position Adjustment Control - A system comprises a slot die including an applicator slot extending about a width of the slot die, wherein the applicator slot is in fluid communication with a fluid flow path through the slot die, and a plurality of actuators spaced about the width of the slot die, wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuators is operable to adjust a cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path at its respective location to provide a local adjustment of fluid flow through the applicator slot. The system further comprises a controller configured to set the position of each actuator according to one of a plurality of discrete settings for operation of the slot die. The controller is further configured to, using fluid dynamics and a digital model of the die, predict a set of discrete settings from the plurality of discrete settings corresponding to a preselected cross-web profile for the extrudate.

12-13-2012

20130004723

COMPOSITE LAYER - Composite layer having a length and width and comprising a first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys, comprising a first polymeric material and a second plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys that is adjacent to, and the inverse of, the first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures, and comprising a second polymeric material. There is a distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. There is an average of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. Any of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material is within 20 percent of said average distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material.

01-03-2013

20130004729

COMPOSITE LAYER - Composite layer comprising a plurality of first zones of a first polymeric material partially encapsulated in a continuous matrix of a second polymeric material. All first zones of the first polymeric material have an exposed area on only one major surface of the composite layer.

FEEDBLOCK FOR MAKING MULTILAYERED FILMS - Generally, the present description relates to a feedblock and a multilayer film die for creating polymeric multilayered films. The feedblock includes a stack of many layers of thin metal plates having flow profile cutouts, to create alternating layers of polymer.

01-10-2013

20130011600

COMPOSITE LAYER - Composite layer comprising a plurality of longitudinal, generally parallel first zones comprised of a first polymeric material each encapsulated in a second polymeric material. There are at least 10 longitudinal first zones per cm.

01-10-2013

20130011638

COMPOSITE LAYER - Composite layer comprising a plurality of longitudinal first zones comprised of a first polymeric material alternating with a plurality of longitudinal second zones comprised of a second polymeric material such that one first zone is disposed between two adjacent second zones. The zones are generally parallel to one another, and at least one of each first zone or each second zone has a maximum width dimension of not greater than 2 mm. Adjacent first and second zones have an average pitch, wherein for the composite layer there is an average of said average pitches, and wherein the average pitch for any adjacent first and second zones is within 20 percent of the average pitch for adjacent first and second zones of said average of said average pitches.

01-10-2013

20140050883

MECHANICAL FASTENING NETS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of making a mechanical fastening net. The method includes providing a net having strands of polymer and open areas between the strands of polymer and molding a portion of the polymer in the strands of the net into upstanding posts to form the mechanical fastening net. A mechanical fastening net that includes a polymeric backing, a plurality of openings in the polymeric backing, and upstanding posts on at least one of the first or second major surface of the polymeric backing is also disclosed. The polymeric backing has a range of thicknesses ranging from minimum to maximum thickness, and for at least a portion of the polymeric backing, the minimum thickness of the polymeric backing is where it abuts one of the openings.

02-20-2014

20140093703

LAMINATES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - An incrementally activated laminate that includes an incrementally activated fibrous web and a film having alternating first and second regions and a laminate of the film and an extensible fibrous web. The first region of the film includes a first polymeric composition, and the second regions include an elastic polymeric composition that is more elastic than the first polymeric composition. In the incrementally activated laminate, the distance between midpoints of two first regions separated by one second region is smaller than the activation pitch, and the first regions are not plastically deformed. In the extensible laminate, a tensile elongation at maximum load of the film is up to 250 percent of the tensile elongation at maximum load of the extensible fibrous web. Methods of making the laminates are also described.

04-03-2014

20140093716

FILM WITH ALTERNATING STRIPES AND STRANDS AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A film comprising stripes alternating with strands is disclosed. In some embodiments, the strands have a core and a sheath. The core is more elastic than both the sheath and the strands. In some embodiments, the film has an elongation of at least 75 percent, the width of the strands is in a range from 100 micrometers to 750 micrometers, and a portion of each strand forms part of at least one major surface of the film. An extrusion die useful for making the film and a method for making the film using the extrusion die are also disclosed.

Film with Layered Segments and Apparatus and Method for Making the Same - A film having first segments and second segments arranged across the film's width direction is disclosed. The first and second segments are separated from each other by polymer interfaces. The first segments include a first polymeric composition and the second segments include a second polymeric composition. At least some of the second segments are layered second segments having first and second layers in the film's thickness direction, and one of the first or second layers includes a third polymeric composition different from the second polymeric composition. An extrusion die useful for making the film and a method for making the film using the extrusion die are also disclosed.

09-04-2014

20150079337

FILMS COMPRISING AN ARRAY OF OPENINGS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - Polymeric layer having first and second, generally opposed major surfaces, comprising an array of openings extending between the first and second major surfaces. The polymeric layers are useful, for example, as components in personal care garments such as diapers and feminine hygiene products. They can also be useful for filtering (including liquid filtering) and acoustic applications.

03-19-2015

20150224700

SLOT DIE POSITION ADJUSTMENT AND RETURN TO BASELINE - A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.

08-13-2015

20150239187

MECHANICAL FASTENING NETS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A method of making a mechanical fastening net. The method includes providing a net having strands of polymer and open areas between the strands of polymer and molding a portion of the polymer in the strands of the net into upstanding posts to form the mechanical fastening net. A mechanical fastening net that includes a polymeric backing, a plurality of openings in the polymeric backing, and upstanding posts on at least one of the first or second major surface of the polymeric backing is also disclosed. The polymeric backing has a range of thicknesses ranging from minimum to maximum thickness, and for at least a portion of the polymeric backing, the minimum thickness of the polymeric backing is where it abuts one of the openings.